Finishing and polishing apparatus



Sept. 24, 1940. A. M. FLEMING 2,215,692

FINISHING AND POLISHING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 19s". 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNE F55.

Sept. 24, 1940. A. M. FLEMING FINISHING AND POLISHING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR fiZexdzralr flZ 7 76/72211 yaw/6 w;

A TTORNE V9.

Patented Sept. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FINISHING AND POLISHING APPARATUS Application September 16, 1937, Serial No. 164,135

2 Claims.

This invention relates to surface-treating apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for treating surfaces of articles or stock which are being prepared for an application of paint, rust 5 preventative, or some other surface coating material.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a surface-treating machine of this character by whch angularly disposed surfaces of 10 an object, such as an automobile body, for example, may be evenly finished or polished.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a surface-treating machine of this kind which automatically finishes or polishes 15 the automobile body as the body is respectively moved into and out of surface-treating receiving positions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of drivingly rotated surface treating mem- 20 bers which are simultaneously reciprocated during rotation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of surface-treating devices which are adapted during rotation to yield throughout a 5 substantially wide range of deformation and undergo substantial displacement in order that one surface-treating device may be used to flnish or olish surfaces of a comparatively wide variety of contours as well as relatively irregular 30 surfaces.

Still further objects of the invention are the provision of apparatus for movably supporting and drivingly propelling articles to be surfacetreated throughout a predetermined course dur- 35 ing rotative and reciprocatory movement of the finishing or polishing device; to provide surfacetreating control apparatus by which the surfacetreating device is variably maintained at a predetermined pressure against the surface of the 40 article operated upon; to provide a surfacetreating device in a machine of this character which, when rotated, normally follows the contour of the surface of the article operated upon, and which device is adapted by reason of vari- 45 able air or fluid pressures therein to bear, during rotation, with variable pressures against the surface of the article to be treated; and to provide a segmental surface-treating device in a machine of this kind which, when rotated, has each of its segments normally following a portion of the contour of the surface of the article to be treated, and which device is adapted by reason of mechanical means therein to bear through its 55 segments, during rotation and reciprocation,

with a predetermined pressure against the surface of the article to be treated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a surface-treating machine embodying the invention, parts being broken away to show the underlying structure, and in which is illustrated the application of surface-treating operations on a vehicle body.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of one of the surface-treating devices, the view being taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig.

2, but illustrating a surface-treating member embodying a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2, but illustrating a still further development of the invention.

In the form of the invention shown in the drawings, the improved machine comprises a pair of channel-shaped roller tracks 6 on which a skid, generally designated by the numeral 1, is movably mounted. The skid 1 comprises a substantially horizontal platform portion 8 and spaced runners 9, each of which are slidably received between the channel sides of the tracks 6. An endless conveyor chain I0 is disposed between the tracks 6 and is driven by a suitable power source (not shown). The conveyor chain ID has upwardly extending lugs i l which are engageable with the platform 8 and by which an article mounted thereon, such as the vehicle body generally designated by the numeral I2, may be propelled along the course predetermined by the track Ii.

A generally vertical frame structure, generally designated by the numeral 13, is disposed in vertically upright position in a plane substantially normal to the path of movement of the vehicle body i2, along which the vehicle body is moved from left to right, as viewed in Fig. 1. This frame structure includes two pairs of upright stanchions l4, l5 and I6, I1.

Mounted on an angle member i8 is a prime mover I8 having a driving shaft l9 journalled in a bearing collar 20 carried by the angle member I8. A cam face 2| is provided on the inner end of the bearing collar 20. The opposite end of the shaft I9 is rotatably and vertically shiftably mounted in a bearing block 24 slidably mounted on the stanchions IS. A surface-treating memher, generally designated by the numeral 23, is non-rotatably but axially shiftably mounted by means of splines on the shaft I8 between the stanchions I4 and I5. The member 23, hereinafter more specifically described, is yieldably urged to the stanchion I4 by a spring 25 bearing between the end of the member 23 adjacent the bearing block 24 and the latter. A collar fixed on the opposite end of the member 23 is provided with a cam face 22 which registers and coacts with the cam face 2| of the bearing collar 20. The top device 23 is thus permitted to rotate and is simultaneously reciprocated by the action of the cam faces 2I and 22.

The motor supporting bracket I8 and the bearing 24 are guided within vertical slots 26 and 21 formed within the stanchions I3 and I5, respectively. To control the relative vertical positions of the prime mover I8 and the bearing 24, a hydraulic control system is used. Inasmuch as this hydraulic control for both the prime mover I8 and the bearing 24 are similar, I have illustrated only the hydraulic control for the former. This hydraulic control includes a piston rod 28 fixed at one end to the motor bracket I8. The other end 'of the rod 28 extends in leak-proof engagement into a vertical cylinder 29 within which a piston 30, attached to the rod, is adapted to reciprocate in response to fluid, preferably liquid, under pressure, admitted through a conduit 3|, as will hereinafter be more apparent. The cylinder 29 is fixed to the stanchion I4 and carries a relief conduit 32 which drains the fluid that accumulates below the piston 30.

Formed on the top surface-treating device 23, best shown in Fig. 2, are concave surfaces 33 which are deformed to contacting conformity with the top surface of the body generally indicated by the numeral 35. The top surface-treating device 23 preferably includes an air-tight tubular body portion 35 comprising rubber or other substantially air impervious and yieldable material which receives air or fiuid under a predetermined pressure through a valve 3? as will presently be more apparent. A center web portion 36 may be employed to tie the central portion of the wall of the body part of the device to a longitudinally extending metal sleeve IS through which the shaft I9 extends. A covering of bufiing or abrasive material 38 is preferably carried by the body portion 23 if it is desired to use the device 23 as a buffer or finisher, respectively, it being understood that the device 23 may be used to apply rust-resistant waves or other material to the body I2 without departing from the scope of my invention.

The stanchion It carries a pair of parallel substantially horizontal cylinders 39 and 40 within each of which a piston II is disposed. The pistons are adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure admitted into the ciylinders 39 and 40 through pressure conduits 42 and 43, respectively, as will presently be more apparent. 'The pistons 4| carry piston rods 44 and 45 which support a side concave surface-treating device 41 that is supported similarly to the top device 23. A prime mover I8 is suspended from a bearing collar 2| on the outer end of the rod 45 of the stationary member I6. The motor I8 has a shaft I9 journalled in the bearing collar 20 and in a bearing 46 on the outer end of the piston rod 44 of the upper cylinder 39. A spring bears between the upper end of the device 41 and the bearing 46. Fixed to the lower end of the device 47 is a collar 80 having a cam face 8! registering and coacting with a cam face 82 on the upper end of the bearing collar 20. During rotation of the treating device 41' the cam faces 8| and 82 and spring 25' cause the latter to reciprocate vertically in the directing of its rotative axis. Inasmuch as the construction and function of the devices 23 and 41 are alike, their details will not be repeated.

A side concave surface-treating device 48 identical in construction with the devices 23 and 41, is carried on the stanchion II in a manner similar to that by which the device 41 is mounted on the stanchion IS, the devices 47 and 48 being rotated and reciprocated in identical manner. The side devices 46 and 48 have concave surfaces 43 which conform generally with the side surfaces of the body I2, generally indicated by the numeral 50 which are deformable into contacting relationship with such surfaces.

Fluid, preferably liquid, is supplied under a predetermined pressure to the conduits 3 I 42 and 43 through a main conduit 5| from a suitable pressure supply source such as a cylinder 52.

In the operation of this embodiment of my invention, the vehicle body I2 is moved on the tracks 5 by the conveyor chain I0 to the right as viewed in Fig. 1. The devices 23, 41 and 48 are preferably filled with air to a predetermined pressure. When these devices, while rotating and reciprocating and during movement of the vehicle body, are urged under predetermined pressure by the pistons 33 and 4| against'the surfaces of the work, the curvilinear surfaces of these devices will be in contacting conformity, with successive longitudinally adjacent portions of the top and side surfaces of the vehicle body.

The prime mover I8 simultaneously rotates the shaft III so as to rotate the top device 23 and to cause the device 23 to reciprocate in the direction of its axis by the riding of the cam face 22 on the stationary cam face 2I. As the prime movers I8 operate they simultaneously rotate the shafts I9 and cause the devices ll and 48 to reciprocate in the direction of their axes by the riding of the cam faces 22 on the stationary cam faces 2I'.

Sufi'lcient fluid pressure is admitted from the cylinder 52 to the conduits 3!, 42, and 43 to cause the pistons and All to urge the rotating and reciprocating air-filled devices 23, 4'1 and 48 against the top and side surfaces of the vehicle body with the desired rubbing pressure of these devices. Any fluid in the cylinders that escapes below the pistons 30 and M is removed through the relief conduit 32.

During this portion of the vehicle body movement, the side surfaces 58 of the vehicle body automatically come into contact with the rotating and reciprocating devices 41 and 48. The

surfaces 33 of the devices 41 and 48 are deformable into contacting relationship with the body surfaces 33.

As the vehicle body moves further along the tracks 6, the top. surface 34 automatically comes into contact with the air-filled rotating and reciprocating device 23, the deformed surfaces 33 coming into contacting conformity with the body surface 34 to be surface-treated. The direction of rotation of the shaft I9 is preferably such that it will assist the top device 23 to climb when this device first comes into contact with the substantially lowest portion of the top surface of the illustrated vehicle body. However, the direction of rotation of the devices 23, 41 and 48 may be predetermined to work with or againstthe movement of the body as desired.

When the vehicle body passes out of surfacetreating receiving relationship with the devices 23, 41 and 48 the body has .been evenly surfacetreated by these devices which rotate and reciprocate under a predetermined rubbing pressure. The pressure within the devices 23, 41 and 48 and within the cylinders 29, 39 and 40 may be varied at will to effect the desired condition of surface-treating by these devices.

Referring now to the modified embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, I have provided another form of surface-treating device for my surfacetreating apparatus. It will be understood that this modified construction is intended to be substituted for the corresponding parts previously described and the entire mechanism and the operation of the same will not again be duplicated. I have indicated parts of similar function but different construction by primed X" reference characters.

Attention is directed to the fact that the deformed concave surfaces of the devices 23, 41 and 48 of the Fig. 2 embodiment have been eliminated. The surface-treating device 23 comprises a body member 53 having a pair of end portions 54, the member 53 preferably being formed of aluminum or some other similar light material. Internal splines 55 are formed with the body member 53 to receive the drive from the splined shaft l9 and to reciprocate thereon by the riding of the cam surface 22 on the cam surface 2|.

An inner layer of rubber 56, or other substantially air impervious material and preferably an outer layer of sheepskin 51 form the cylindrical walls of the device 23*. The extremities of the layers 56 and 51 are locked within an annular groove 58 of each of the end portions 54 by a steel plate 59 having a flange 60 registering with the groove 58. The plate 59 is detachably secured to the end portions 54 by a steel plate 59 having a flange 60 registering with the groove 58. The plate 59 is detachably secured to the end portions 54 by suitable fasteners 6|. Air, or fluid, may be admitted under a predetermined pressure through a valve 62 into the body member 53.

In the operationof this particular embodiment the deformable outer layer 51, backed by the layer 56, is urged by the air within the layer 56 into contacting conformity with the top or side surfaces of the vehicle body when the pistons 3|] or 4| also urge the rotating and reciprocating surface-treating devices toward the vehicle body surfaces.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 3 is particularly adapted for polishing surfaces, but it is evident that other layers besides sheep skin abrasive and rubber may be used without departing from the scope of my invention.

With reference now to the modified embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, still another construction of a surface-treating device for my surfacetreating apparatus has been provided. It will be understood that this modified arrangement is intended to be substituted for the corresponding parts previously described and the entire mechanism andthe operation of the same will not be duplicated again. Parts of similar function but different construction have been indicated by primed "Y reference characters.

The surface-treating device 23 comprises a spool-like body member 63 having internal splines 64 to simultaneously receive the drive from the splined shaft la and to reciprocate thereon by the riding of the cam surface 22 on the cam surface 2|.

A plurality of ring members 65 surround the stem portion 66 of the body member 63, these ring members being yieldingly centered under a predetermined force by springs 61 carried by the inner portion of the members 65 and by the stem portion 66. These ring members 65 are preferably made of aluminum or some other light materlal, and have their peripheries so shaped as to normally be deformed into contacting conformity with successively adjacent portions of the top surface of the vehicle body during rotation and reciprocation of the top device 23 Each of the members 65 carries a suitable surfacetreating material, the material illustrated being a ring of sponge rubber 68 covered by a layer of sheep-skin 69 held by detachable wire rings 10 to the member 65. An outer, surface of abrasive material may be used if desired.

Referring to the operation of this embodiment of my invention, the sheep-skin covered members 65 are individually urged to their normal central position. These members 65 are thus deformed into contacting conformity with the top or side surfaces of the vehicle body when the pistons 36 or 41 also urge the rotating and reciprocating surface-treating devices with a predetermined rubbing pressure toward the vehicle body surfaces.

Although but several specific embodiments of my invention are herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A surface treating member of drum-like form including end walls and a connecting wall, an annular wall between said end walls dividing said drum-like member into a pair of chambers and serving as a tie for said connecting wall to restrain radially outward distortion thereof, said walls being of yieldable fluid-impervious non-me-= tallic material, and valve means for admitting an inflating fluid to each of said chambers.

- 2. A surface treating member of drum-like form including end walls, an annular radially outwardly disposed axially extending connecting wall, a hub forming wall extending between said end walls and spaced radially inwardly from said connecting wall, an annular wall disposed axially intermediate said end walls and extending radially between said connecting wall and said hub forming wall and constituting a tie for said connecting wall to restrain radially outward distortion thereof, all of said walls being of yieldable fluid-impervious non-metallic material, said iiitermediate axially extending wall dividing said drum-dike member into independent chambers, and valve means for admitting an inflating fluid to each of said chambers.

ER 1W. FIE-LUNG. 

